South Asia needs to understand causes of terrorism – CBK 
[January 6, 2002 - 10.00 GMT]

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga stressed the need to understand the causes of terrorism in her address to the 11^th SAARC Summit yesterday in Kathmandu as the outgoing Chairperson. While giving a general overview of SAARC’s activities during the past year, she focused more on the area of terrorism.

Kumaratunga said, “We need today to desperately study and understand the true causes of terrorism and terrorist movements.” Noting that most nations within the region continue to suffer from terrorism she expressed the need to “join hands more honestly and with more dedication.” 

Kumaratunga admitted that a major strength of SAARC was the position it held within the region as well as the rest of the world. However, she said she felt this aspect could be further developed. 

Speaking of the effect of the September 11^th attacks and Afghanistan’s position in South Asia, Kumaratunga said, “[It] will continue to seriously affect our region, politically and economically for a long time.”

In essence, Kumaratunga maintained her long-standing belief of finding the root causes of terrorism. She said, “It may not be sufficient to say, that we will hunt down the perpetrators of terror and their allies. We must attempt to understand the deep‑rooted causes of this most unnatural, de‑humanising phenomenon very specific to the 20th century.”

Address by H.E. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga

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Last Updated Date: January 6, 2002  - 10.00 GMT.